Haines City Native Amber "Sevyn" Streeter Hopes for Breakthrough With First Album

Sunday

Feb 3, 2013 at 7:04 AM

A Haines City native who has written songs for big-name R&B artists like Chris Brown is set to release her premiere album. The rise to fame of Amber "Sevyn" Streeter, 26, is the archetypal dream of every young girl with musical aspirations.

By JAMES COULTERNews Chief Correspondent

A Haines City native who has written songs for big-name R&B artists like Chris Brown is set to release her premiere album.

The rise to fame of Amber "Sevyn" Streeter, 26, is the archetypal dream of every young girl with musical aspirations.

Born and raised in Haines City, she grew up singing in church and talent shows before receiving her big break performing in girl groups and writing songs for R&B artists, until recently launching her solo career with Atlantic Records.

Streeter entered the musical scene last year with her first single, "I Like It."

With a hypnotic beat, this love song conveys the ups and downs of a relationship, the feeling of being head-over-heels in love one moment and driven up the walls by a lover the next.

A music video of the single was released earlier this year. Since its debut on YouTube, it has received more than 658,000 views and more than 7,000 likes.

The single will be featured in Streeter's album, which she describes as urban with sprinklings of R&B and pop.

Although its title or release date have yet to be revealed, Streeter said her album will be released soon, and that she is striving to create a product worthy of release.

"I respect the fans way too much just to throw something out," Streeter said. "I want to take my time and really give them their money's worth."

In whatever she does, Streeter strives for nothing short of perfection, she said.

Her perfectionist nature is revealed in her alias, "Sevyn," which, according to her biography, is derived not only from her birthday (July 7), but also from the biblical concept of seven as the number of fullness and completion.

She and her team have been working diligently to perfect every minor detail of the album, from writing and rewriting songs to recording them through multiple retakes, she said.

Her songs originate from experience, both personal and shared, as she believes music should convey emotions and experiences anyone can relate to.

Streeter built her career on writing music for other artists, including Chris Brown, Brandy, Justin Bieber, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys and Estelle.

Her most notable work includes Alicia Key's "New Day," Brandy's "Slower," and Estelle and Chris Brown's "International."

Whenever she writes for others, she always tries to establish a personal connection with them to learn of their experiences in order to better convey them in their own music, she said.

From a very young age, Streeter was determined to seek out a career in music.

Born July 7, 1986, to Tim and Karen Streeter in Haines City, she grew up singing in church and for local talent shows.

Several R&B, pop and gospel influences were instrumental in helping her develop her own style, which she says was inspired by Brandy's tone, Beyonce's voice and Aaliyah's vibes.

Her big break arrived at age 10, when she competed in "Showtime at the Apollo" and tied for first place by singing "My Funny Valentine."

She received her first record deal at age 14 performing in the girl group TG4, although her time with the group was short.

The group did not last long, in any case.

After uploading her own music to MySpace at the suggestion of her cousin, she was picked up by producer Rich Harrison for the girl group RichGirl.

The group had moderate success for four years with a few hit singles and even a tour with Beyonce before being disbanded.

It was during her time with RichGirl that she met Chris Brown, who was under the same management, and discussed writing songs for him.

From there she would write many of his greatest hits, including her personal favorite "Yeah x3."

She recalls being contacted by her manager in Florida and informed that the single was going to be the first on his album.

"I literally thought I was going to die," she said.

She has since signed with Atlantic Records to springboard her solo career.

Once she releases her album, she says she has expressed a desire to go on tour, act and continue writing music.

She said she has nothing less than eternal gratitude to all who have allowed her to make it this far in her career, from the support of her parents and community to the opportunities provided by the music industry and, most importantly, to her faith in God.

"I wake up and my life is a constant reminder that this doesn't have to be my life, that it could have ended up any other kind of way," she said. "But I'm just humbled and appreciative and I want to work really hard to show how appreciative I am."

For more information, visit her website at http://www.sevynstreeter.com, or visit the Atlantic Records website at http://www.atlanticrecords.com.